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Temperatures fell to -21 degrees Celsius (-31 wind chill) before kickoff at TCF Bank Stadium, home of the University of Minnesota football team, as the Vikings await the completion of their new home - the US Bank Stadium - which is slated to open mid-year.

It was the coldest game in Vikings franchise history, beating the previous record on 3 December 1972 when temperatures were -18 (-28 wind chill).

Freezing conditions: Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson leaves the field after the win in Minneapolis. Photo: AP

The coldest game in NFL history was the 1967 'Ice Bowl' between the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys which saw temperatures fall to -25 (-44 wind chill).

The Vikings handed out free hand warmers and coffee to supporters ahead of the game and had advised them to bring "styrofoam, cardboard or newspapers to place under their feet" to prevent prolonged contact with the concrete ground.

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Legendary former head coach Bud Grant was brought out before the sub-zero game in nothing but a polo shirt, displaying the sort of toughness that made the 88-year-old such a force during his helm between 1967 to 1985.